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I J. ATKINS.

Harvester Cutter. t

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JEARUM. A'iKI-NS, OF MOKENA, ILLINOIS.

Letters Paten-t No. 74,272., tinted February 11, 1868.

IMPROVEMENT IN HARVESTER-GUTTERS.

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

B e it known that I, .IEARUM ATKINS, of Mokena, Will county, in the State of Illinois, have made new and useful Improvements in Construction of Cutters for Harvestcrs; and I hereby declare the following to be a full and exact description ofthe same, reference being had to the drawings that accompany and foiim a part of these specioations.

The nature 'of my invention consists in the construction oi' the back or knife-bar, and the mode of com structing and fastening the blades or cutters for mowing or harvesting-machines.`

Figure 1, view of my device with cutters inserted.

Figure 2 shows the construction of the ,diii'erent sections of the cutters, and how they are held in position.

"Figure 3, cross-section on a. line a IJ.-

Figure 4, cross-section, showing` form of back and mode of inserting the blades, taken on a line, ef.

Figure 5, edge view of knife-bar from the rear. I

Letter A, metal back or knife-bar, made by folding a strip of steel or other metal in the form of the letter U, as shown in iig. 4, thus obtaining greater strength, with a given weight of metal, than by the usual Inode of riveting the cutters to one side of the knife-bar. It also affords greater security and support to the cutters.

My mode of fastening the cutters is this: At one end ofthe knife-bar A, VI insert a piece of metal, made a little widest at its outer end, forming one partei' a dove-tail, as scen at C in fig. 2. This is held by rivets, passing through it andthe knife-bar, as seen in iig. 1. The cutter-blades may be made singly, or in sections of two or more in one plate. At proper intervals from the piece C to admit these blades or sections, I place a V-shaped or triangular piece, seen at D, in iig. 2, held also by a rivet. I then cut two sections of my plate for the cutters or blades, marked E and F in fig. 2, at an angle to correspond'avith that of the pieces C and D, the middle section G forming a key which holds the two adjoining sections in place. The section G is made with a hook, h,

.which passes through a. slot made in the back of the knife-bar; this hook, being turned slightly to one side, as

shown at 1,' in iig. 5, holds it and the two adjoining sections firmly.l If thc hook should not be deemed suiicient for this purpose,a screw or rivet may be used also. By this arrangement the hook t holds three sections, consequently the cutters can be very readily'rcmoved for the purpose of sharpening, or new ones substituted, as may be desired, u

It will be understood that I insert one of the V-sha-ped pieces D for every three sections in the linifelbar. Ifthought more desirable, this piooe D may be made round, `and a half circle cut in each section to correspond thereto.

Another device for fastening the knife-blades is by a kcy between the sections, as shown at k in fig. 1, a cross-section of which, on a line a b, is shown in g. 3. This key is made of metal, half thc thickness of the knife-blades, doubled, and sharpened at the ends, as shown at L, a side view of'which is seen at m. This key is made long enough, so that the sharpened points project through a slot in the back oi' the knife-bar, and are bent, one each way, as shown in iig. 3.

It' found desirable, the piece D may be dispensed with by fastening each alternate section by either of the modes speciiied.

The advantages claimed by the above-described combination are, iirst, greater strength in the knife-bar than i is obtained by the usual mode of construction; second, affording greater support to the cutters, being held firmly, on both sides, up to the cutting-edge; and also allowing the cutters to be made of thinner metal, thereby saving weight and expense, and causing the knivesto run lighter by reason oi' their being held firmly on both sides; and lastly, aiording increased facilities for inserting or removing the cutters for grinding or repairs.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is 1. The Ufshaped metal back or knife-bar A, in combination with and for the purpose of holding adjustable or removable cutters for harvcsters, as described.

2. The mode of constructing cutter-blades in alternate sections, E and Gr, dove-tailed in the manner described, so that the section G- acts as a key to hold the adjoining sections-E and F, substantially as described and set forth. i

3. In combination with aku-shaped knife-bar, the modes described for fastening the sections by the hook h, either with or without a pin and screw, substantially as described and set forth. 4

` In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JEARUM ATKLNS.

Witnesses:

EDM. F. BROWN, C. F. WILSON. 

